I’ve got something exciting for you today. We’re diving deep into a fresh set of data on six Indian stocks that have been making some noise lately, Bharti Airtel, ITC, Bajaj Finance, Maruti, Avenue, and Titan. I’ve got their latest numbers on revenue growth and stock returns. These stocks have been under pressure in the last 3 months, so I thought, why not check what’s their quarterly revenue update.
The Data at a Glance
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let me lay out the numbers we’re looking at. I’ve got data for these six companies as of December 2024, and it’s broken down into three key metrics:
- Revenue Growth – QTR (YoY): This tells us how much a company’s revenue has grown in the December 2024 quarter compared to December 2023. It’s a great way to see how they’re performing year-over-year on a quarterly basis.
- Revenue Growth (TTM): This is the Trailing Twelve Months revenue growth. Here, we’ll compare the TTM revenue as of December 2024 to the full financial year revenue reported in March 2024. It gives us a broader picture of growth over the past year.
- Return (3M): This shows the stock’s return over the last three months, essentially how much money you’d have made (or lost) if you invested in the stock three months ago.
Here’s the data in a nutshell:
| SL | Name | Revenue Growth – QTR (YoY) | Revenue Growth (TTM) | Return (3M) % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bharti Airtel | 19.08% | 7.46% | -1.76 |
| 2 | ITC | 9.28% | 2.11% | -9.92 |
| 3 | Bajaj Finance | 27.36% | 20.31% | -1.26 |
| 4 | Maruti | 15.67% | 3.09% | -10.77 |
| 5 | Avenue | 26.52% | 11.35% | -7.04 |
| 6 | Titan | 25.25% | 12.43% | -11.67 |
- Bharti Airtel: Revenue Growth (YoY) 19.08%, Revenue Growth (TTM) 7.46%, 3M Return -1.7554%
- ITC: Revenue Growth (YoY) 9.28%, Revenue Growth (TTM) 2.11%, 3M Return -9.9163%
- Bajaj Finance: Revenue Growth (YoY) 27.36%, Revenue Growth (TTM) 20.31%, 3M Return -1.258%
- Maruti: Revenue Growth (YoY) 15.67%, Revenue Growth (TTM) 3.09%, 3M Return -10.7735%
- Avenue Supermart: Revenue Growth (YoY) 26.52%, Revenue Growth (TTM) 11.35%, 3M Return -7.0376%
- Titan: Revenue Growth (YoY) 25.25%, Revenue Growth (TTM) 12.43%, 3M Return -11.6702%
Now, these numbers might look like a bunch of percentages at first glance, but they tell a story about how these companies are doing and what might be in store for their stocks. Let’s break it down one by one and see what’s going on.
1. Bharti Airtel: Steady Growth
Bharti Airtel, one of India’s telecom giants, is showing some solid revenue growth. A 19.08% YoY increase is nothing to sneeze at, it means their December 2024 quarter was significantly stronger than last year.
But when you look at the TTM growth of 7.46%, it’s a bit more modest. This tells me that while Airtel had a great quarter, their overall growth over the past year hasn’t been as explosive.
Now, here’s the kicker, despite this decent growth, the stock has given a negative return of -1.76% over the last three months. What’s going on here? Well, the telecom sector in India is a tough one. Airtel is battling it out with competitors like Jio, and there’s constant pressure on pricing and margins. Plus, the market might be worried about rising costs—like the massive investments in 5G rollout, or maybe some broader economic concerns are dragging the stock down.
What This Means for us? If you’re a long-term investor, Airtel’s revenue growth is a good sign. They’re clearly doing something right operationally. But the negative returns suggest the market isn’t fully on board yet. Maybe it’s a good time to dig deeper into their 5G strategy or any upcoming tariff hikes before making a move.
2. ITC: Slow and Steady
ITC, the classic FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) player that also has its hands in hotels, paperboards, and, of course, cigarettes. Their revenue growth isn’t exactly setting the world on fire: 9.28% YoY and a measly 2.11% TTM. That’s pretty low for a company of ITC’s stature. It suggests they’re growing, but not at a pace that’s going to get anyone too excited.
And the market agrees, the stock has tanked with a -9.9% return over the last three months. That’s a pretty steep drop. I think what’s happening here is a mix of factors. ITC has been trying to diversify away from cigarettes for years, but that segment still drives a big chunk of their profits. With regulatory pressures and changing consumer habits (more people are quitting smoking), the market might be losing confidence in ITC’s growth story. Plus, the FMCG sector as a whole has been facing challenges with inflation and slowing rural demand.
What This Means for us? If you’re holding ITC, this might be a tough pill to swallow. But ITC is known for its dividends, so if you’re an income-focused investor, you might still find value here. For growth investors, though, I’d say look elsewhere unless ITC can show stronger numbers in the coming quarters.
3. Bajaj Finance: The Star Performer
Now here’s where things get interesting, Bajaj Finance is killing it with a 27.36% YoY revenue growth and a 20.31% TTM growth. Those are some seriously impressive numbers. Bajaj Finance is a non-banking financial company (NBFC) that’s been a darling of the Indian market for years, thanks to its focus on consumer lending, SME loans, and digital innovation.
But wait, despite these stellar growth figures, the stock has still given a negative return of -1.26% over the last three months. What gives? My guess is that the market is worried about the NBFC sector as a whole. Rising interest rates, potential slowdowns in consumer spending, and concerns about asset quality (aka bad loans) might be spooking investors. Bajaj Finance has a solid track record, but even the best companies can get dragged down by sector-wide fears.
What This Means for us? Bajaj Finance looks like a strong candidate for a “buy on the dip” strategy. The fundamentals are solid, but the market sentiment is negative. If you believe in their long-term growth story, and I think there’s a good case for it, this could be a great opportunity to pick up some shares at a discount.
4. Maruti: Driving Growth
Maruti Suzuki, India’s biggest carmaker, is showing a decent 15.67% YoY revenue growth, but its TTM growth is a sluggish 3.09%. That’s not great for a company in the auto sector, where you’d expect more consistent growth given India’s growing middle class and demand for cars. The stock’s 3-month return is also pretty grim at -10.7%.
So, what’s the deal? The auto sector has been a mixed bag lately. On one hand, Maruti has been pushing into the SUV market, which is where the demand is. Their YoY growth reflects that. But the TTM number suggests they’ve struggled over the past year, maybe due to supply chain issues, chip shortages, or weaker demand for smaller cars, which have traditionally been their bread and butter. The negative stock returns could also be tied to broader market trends or fears of a slowdown in the economy.
What This Means for us? Maruti is a household name, but it’s not a screaming buy right now. If you’re interested in the auto sector, I’d keep an eye on how Maruti navigates the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and whether they can sustain that YoY growth in the coming quarters.
5. Avenue: A Retail Giant in the Making?
Avenue (likely Avenue Supermarts, the parent company of D-Mart) is showing some strong numbers: 26.52% YoY revenue growth and 11.35% TTM growth. That’s pretty solid for a retail company. D-Mart is known for its no-frills, low-cost model, and it seems to be paying off as they expand across India.
But again, the stock market isn’t buying the story, the 3-month return is -7.03%. Retail stocks can be tricky. While Avenue is growing, they’re also operating in a highly competitive space with thin margins. Plus, inflation might be hitting consumer spending, and the market could be worried about that impacting Avenue’s future growth.
What This Means for us? Avenue’s growth is impressive, and if they can keep this up, they could be a long-term winner in the retail space. But the negative returns suggest some caution. Maybe wait for a better entry point if you’re thinking of investing.
6. Titan: Shining Bright
We’ve got Titan, the jewelry and lifestyle giant. Their revenue growth looks strong at 25.25% YoY and 12.43% TTM. That’s great news, Titan has been capitalizing on the wedding season and growing demand for branded jewelry in India. They’ve also been expanding their eyewear and watches segments, which adds some diversification.
But the stock has taken a beating with a -11.67% return over the last three months. That’s the worst among this group. I think this might be more about market sentiment than Titan’s fundamentals.
Jewelry stocks can be volatile because they’re tied to discretionary spending. If people are worried about an economic slowdown, they might cut back on buying gold or watches, and that fear could be dragging Titan’s stock down.
What This Means for us? Titan’s growth numbers are solid, but the stock price doesn’t reflect that right now. If you’re a believer in India’s long-term consumption story, Titan could be a good pick for the future. Just be prepared for some volatility.
The Macro
If you look at all six stocks, there’s a clear trend, most of them are showing decent-to-strong revenue growth, but their stock prices have taken a hit over the last three months.
Here’s my take on why this might be happening:
- Market Sentiment: The Indian stock market might be going through a rough patch. Maybe there’s a broader correction happening, or investors are worried about inflation, interest rates, or global economic uncertainty.
- Sector-Specific Challenges: Each of these companies operates in a different sector, telecom, FMCG, NBFC, auto, retail, and jewelry. Some of these sectors (like auto and FMCG) are facing headwinds, which could be dragging down stock prices.
- Growth vs. Valuation: Even if a company is growing, if its stock is already priced at a high valuation, the market might not reward it with higher returns. Investors might be waiting for more clarity on future growth.
How Can You Use This Data?
Alright, let’s get practical. How can you, as an investor, use this data to make better decisions? Here are a few tips:
- Look for Disconnects: Stocks like Bajaj Finance and Titan have strong growth but negative returns. That could signal a buying opportunity if you believe in their long-term potential.
- Dig Deeper into Sector Trends: For example, if you’re interested in Maruti, research the auto sector, how are EV sales doing? What about chip shortages? That’ll give you a better sense of whether their growth is sustainable.
- Balance Growth and Stability: ITC might not be growing fast, but it’s a stable, dividend-paying stock. If you’re a conservative investor, that might be more your style than a high-flyer like Bajaj Finance.
- Timing Matters: The negative 3-month returns across the board suggest this might not be the best time to jump in. Maybe wait for a bit more clarity on the market direction—or at least set some price alerts so you can buy on the next dip.
Conclusion
These six stocks – Bharti Airtel, ITC, Bajaj Finance, Maruti, Avenue, and Titan, are all big names in their respective sectors, and their revenue growth numbers give us a lot to think about. But the negative stock returns remind us that the market doesn’t always move in lockstep with fundamentals.
If I had to pick a favorite, I’d say Bajaj Finance looks the most promising, those growth numbers are hard to ignore, and the negative return might just be a temporary blip. On the other hand, I’d be cautious with ITC and Maruti until they show more consistent growth.
What do you think? Are you invested in any of these stocks, or are you eyeing one of them for your portfolio? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And if you found this deep dive helpful, don’t forget to share it with your friends or fellow investors.
Until next time, happy investing.
